Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Malcolm
BoyScottish· “devotee of Saint Columba”
- Meaning
- devotee of Saint Columba
- Origin
- Scottish
- Pronunciation
- MAL-kuhm
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #272
- US babies 2025
- 1,257
- Best rank
- #205 (1928)
- Peak year
- 1992
Meaning and origin of Malcolm
Malcolm is a Scottish name that means “devotee of Saint Columba”.
Malcolm comes from the Scottish Gaelic Máel Coluim, meaning devotee or disciple of Saint Columba, the Irish monk who founded the monastery on Iona. Columba's own name is Latin for dove. Several kings of Scotland bore the name, including Malcolm III, who appears in Shakespeare's Macbeth as the son of the murdered King Duncan. In the twentieth century civil rights leader Malcolm X gave the name a powerful modern association. Malcolm feels classic and intelligent, with a gentle Scottish character.
Other spellings with the same sound: Malcom.
Popularity over time
Malcolm has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #205 in 1928, and the most babies received it in 1992, when 1,495 were named Malcolm. In 2025, 1,257 babies were named Malcolm, and it ranked #272 nationally. That is 70% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #227 in 1920, #290 in 1950, #534 in 1980, #368 in 2000, #521 in 2010, and #272 in 2025. Of the 70,209 US boys named Malcolm since records began, 14% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 7,105 babies. Since 2010, 14,206 more have been named Malcolm.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Devante, Alberto, Devonte, Conor, and Jamal.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Malcolm ranked highest in Maine, New Hampshire, and Oregon.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Maine | #80 | 16 |
| New Hampshire | #125 | 12 |
| Oregon | #152 | 28 |
| Rhode Island | #152 | 8 |
| Washington | #173 | 50 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Malcolm is usually pronounced MAL-kuhm, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with M and ends in “-lm”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Malcom.
Middle names for Malcolm
A few middle names that flow with Malcolm: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Malcolm
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Lists that include Malcolm
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Malcolm mean?
Malcolm is a Scottish name that means “devotee of Saint Columba”.
What is the origin of the name Malcolm?
Malcolm has Scottish roots. Malcolm comes from the Scottish Gaelic Máel Coluim, meaning devotee or disciple of Saint Columba, the Irish monk who founded the monastery on Iona.
Is Malcolm a popular name?
Yes. Malcolm ranked #272 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Malcolm a boy or girl name?
Malcolm is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Malcolm?
Malcolm is usually pronounced MAL-kuhm. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings